Buying comics can be an expensive hobby. A lot of fans simply can’t afford everything they’re interested in, due to rising prices and the over-saturation of the market with superhero titles.
That’s why we’re here. Every week, the Multiversity staff is asked “What would you buy this week if you couldn’t go over $20?” and shares their reasons why, in order to help others who might have similar tastes make their own decisions in buying comics on a budget. Be sure to leave your own picks in the comments!
Uncanny X-Men #1 ($3.99) – I have found “All-New X-Men” to be extremely rewarding and surprisingly weighty. Now that Scott Summers’ “team” is breaking off into another book, it’ll give both of the major X-Men storylines room to breathe. Bendis made me into a believer of his again, after losing me through his “Avengers” run. I can’t wait to have more mutant goodness coming from the man.
Batman #17 ($3.99) – A Joker story that has exceeded expectations that were pretty lofty to begin with. Last month’s issue featuring Joker’s dressed up “king’s court” for Batman was beyond creepy. Snyder knows how to take Batman to places he’s never been and The Joker has been muse-like for Snyder’s horror sensibilities. Plus, we’re all waiting to see what’s under that serving dome, right?
Demon Knights #17 ($2.99) – Paul Cornell handed the ball off to Robert Venditti and he ran pretty damn well with it in his first issue. Set 30 years from issue #15 of Demon Knights, it was a “getting the band back together” issue and felt a little like Return of the Jedi in that regard. Lots of fun seeing where everyone was. Well, fun for Vandal Savage, anyway. Maybe not so much fun for Etrigan/Jason Blood.
Change #3 ($2.99) – Ales Kot just got announced for “Suicide Squad” from DC Comics. If you want to get acquainted with him now, there’s this wonderfully offbeat miniseries going on right now over at Image Comics. Lots of big idea stuff here. Stuff that would really improve mainstream comics, if he’s allowed to bring those sensibilities in.
Hoax Hunters #7 ($2.99) – It’s another solid issue where some secrets are revealed and we’re led even deeper into others. Make sure to grab this and then check out our “Hoax Hunters Backstage Pass” column that comes out on Wednesday. Okay, so I’m partially advertising for our “Hoax Hunters” column, but the book is really good, very original and you should be checking it out!
Total: $16.95
Uncanny X-Men #1 ($3.99) – I have not read any current X-Men comics since “Avengers versus X-Men.” Because of this book, I am both catching up with “Wolverine and the X-Men” and starting “All-New X-Men.” For as mediocre as “Avengers versus X-Men” was, it was the next logical step in the character arc of Scott Summers, and it wasn’t until this book was announced that I realized how much I missed reading about Cyclops. If rumor is correct, Bendis has actually been fitting into the X-universe quite well, and he and Bachalo have been proven to work together well in the past. It’s a choice that knocks off other $3.99 books from my list, such as Morning Glories or Pathfinder (this is just my cheap way of getting them in), but this is one of the few times I have felt the pangs of character loyalty.
Star Wars #2 ($2.99) – In case you missed my review, I loved the first issue of Brian Wood’s “Star Wars,” and I am itching for more. Even though this is a genre that Wood doesn’t have much experience in, you would never have been able to tell by the first issue, and Carlos D’Anda’s art is groovy as all get out. As I said in my review, though, I am above all excited to read more of Princess Leia being one of the best female characters in a mainstream property. Kicking ass and taking names — that’s how I like my princesses.
Fatale #12 ($3.50) – It’s a stand-alone short story! Brubaker and Phillips are always amazing! You have no excuse!
Continued belowBedlam #4 ($3.50) – If you’ve ever wondered “Gee, that Nick Spencer can do some pretty twisted things in other books, I wonder how far he can go?” then “Bedlam” might be the book you’re looking for. Spencer and Rossmo are on fire in this series, painting a horribily broken world that you couldn’t look away from if you wanted to. Hopefully this issue has significantly less kitten death, though.
Manhattan Projects #9 ($3.50) – The very slight semblance that “The Manhattan Projects” had to our own world in the first issue or so has completely disappeared, and the book is better for it. Hickman and Pitarra are inspired on this ongoing, and are churning out some of the most off-the-wall science fiction you’ll ever see.
Total: $17.48
B.P.R.D. #104 ($3.50) – James Harren’s arc is coming to an end, but not before more batshit insane action sequences and charming character work – one of the best in comics, folks.
Katana #1 ($2.99) – I’m a sucker for a #1 featuring a character I’ve always kind of sort of enjoyed, but knew instinctively would never be a breakout character. May this series prove me wrong!
Manhattan Projects #9 ($3.50) – This is the craziest issue yet, and this series is full of crazy issues. Batshit, folks.
Fantastic Four #4 ($2.99) – I’m still holding out hope that this turns into something great.
Uncanny X-Men #1 ($3.99) – I’m a sucker for a #1 featuring a character I’ve always kind of sort of enjoyed, plus three others I really don’t care about. May this series make me care about Magik!
Total: $16.97
Avengers Arena #4 ($2.99) – I have really been enjoying this book. Are characters I enjoy getting offed? Yes. The story is good though and I’m seeing more of some of these characters than I have in recent years. Top it all off with Arcade, who I think is a character with some nasty potential, and this book is very entertaining. I know some are concerned with the potentially finite premise of the story but if they play it in a fashion similar to 24 it could actually be pretty great.
Batman #17 ($3.99) – This whole arc has been fantastic. Some of the best Joker and Batman interactions in years has come from this arc. I am not expecting a traumatic death to cap this baby off but instead I think we are going to see Batman isolated from his allies. A literal Death of the Family would be a great ending that would leave Batman in a loner role for the first time in a grip. I’m honestly just into whatever Scott Snyder wants to have Batman do. Especially with Greg Capullo taking Gotham and its inhabitants and making them his. This is truly a duo whose run will be remembered with similar love to that of Snyder and Jock’s “Detective Comics” among Batman fans.
Star Wars #2 ($2.99) – The last issue was a solid start and laid out the current landscape in enough detail to get me to continue with the book. I do want more from future issues than we got in issue #1 but it was a first issue so I understand the need for set up. I honestly am just excited to see Brian Wood tackle this era of Star Wars. I’ve got a good feeling about this.
Uncanny X-Men #1 ($3.99) – An X-Men book with two of my favorite creators of all time? Fuck yes.
Wolverine and the X-Men #25 ($3.99) – Issue #24 was my favorite book of January. I’m really hoping this issue can stay on the same path. The kids going to the Savage Land sounds like a great idea to me and I can only imagine the trouble they are likely to get into. Bring it on.
Total: $17.95
Fury Max #9 ($3.99) – This is one of the most underrated books on the market. How a book by Garth Ennis and the absolutely superlative talent that is Goran Parlov could be so woefully underread, I’m not sure. Either way, you should be reading this. It kicks fifty kinds of ass and has enough left over to still sleep with your girlfriend.
Continued belowWolverine and the X-Men #25 ($3.99) – The last issue of this was the best X-Men comic I’ve read in quite some time. Now, we have the timely arrival of Ramon Perez on art to join Jason Aaron and I expect the results to be nothing short of spectacular. Make mine Jean Grey School!
Uncanny X-Men #1 ($3.99) – Mostly because Chris Bachalo, but I’m curious about this book. Plus, the X-Universe is about as cohesive as I’ve seen it in some time. Why wouldn’t I be reading this?
B.P.R.D. #104 ($3.50) – JAMES HARREN.
The Walking Dead #107 ($2.99) – I have to say, I really, really enjoy Negan. Yeah, sure, he’s a horrible, horrible person, but there is something disgustingly likable about the guy. This book was as revitalized by its 100th issue as Invincible was not, and I enjoyed where this issue took us.
Total: $18.46
Avengers Assemble #12 ($3.99) – I’m telling you, there’s no way I will ever not put a Kelly Sue DeConnick penned comic book on my list. This week we’re getting a new arc in “Avengers Assemble” focusing on Black Widow with Hawkeye and Spider-Woman tagging along for the ride. I’m so here for this.
Star Wars #2 ($2.99) – Despite already having crazy high hopes for the first issue, this title still managed to surprise with how much it stayed true to the characters of the story while exploring new avenues to take their characterisation. Get this while you can.
Change #3 ($3.50) – With Ales Kot announced as the new writer of “Suicide Squad”, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s set for great things. Get this series so you can be that guy months down the line who liked him ‘before he was cool’.
Manhattan Projects #9 ($3.50) – This series has not missed a single beat. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to read this.
Peter Panzerfaust #9 ($3.50) – Did you see how last issue ended?! We are in for some fun with this one.
Bedlam #4 ($3.50) – A comic book that still defies explanation, but delights more and more with each issue. I love it.
Total: $20.98 You can scrounge a dollar from somewhere.
Uncanny X-Men #1 ($3.99) – Very intrigued as to what Bendis has planned for the alt-X-Men team, and very excited for new Bachalo artwork.
Secret Avengers #1 ($3.99) – I guess I’m going to be a Marvel cheerleader this week, but I am very curious as to how Nick Spencer’s new direction for “Secret Avengers” plays out. I’ve been purposefully avoiding press and previews for it because the concept of bringing in Coulson and Nick Fury Jr as “real characters” intrigues me enough that I’m willing to be surprised. Plus, Luke Ross is great. I mean, great great.
Mouse Guard: The Black Axe #6 ($3.50) – Finally!
Morning Glories #24 ($3.99) – This issue… well. You know. You’ll see.
Powers: Bureau ($3.95) – Powers is coming back? Like, for real? You’re not playing with me this time? Oh, I am so super excited.
Total: $19.42
Storm Dogs #3 ($3.50) – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a series turn around more drastically, between the first issue and the second. It turns out this sci-fi story is taking place in a complex, fascinating world – one that’s going to need a lot more than a five-issue run to flesh it out properly. Let’s all buy this one, and make it an ongoing.
Manhattan Projects #9 ($3.50) – Your monthly(ish) dose of insanity, and mildly addictive at that.
Peter Panzerfaust #9 ($3.50) – There’s going to be a lot of Captain Hook in this one. ‘Nuff said.
Bedlam #4 ($3.50) – While I think most of us are going to be a while in forgiving Nick Spencer for those cat-unfriendly opening pages in #3 (WHYYYY), that was also the most suspenseful, well-laid out issue yet – and it ended with a good cliffhanger. Is it possible that things are going to get even weirder?
Morning Glories #24 ($3.99) – I finally caught up! A no-brainer buy.
Total: $17.99.
